Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Work experience
• Other learning experiences

Course overview

Transform your passion for reading and writing into in-demand professional skills through Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies. In it, you’ll explore a diverse range of literary texts and theories and refine your analytical, writing and critical thinking abilities, which are highly valued by employers. In addition, opportunities to get your work published or undertake an internship will give you sought-after industry experience and expand your professional network.

Under the guidance of academic staff who are leading international scholars and published authors, you’ll gain a broad exposure to contemporary and historical literature, expand your knowledge of literary theory, and develop a nuanced understanding of how texts function. This in-depth knowledge combined with industry-relevant experiences will equip you with a unique skill set ready for an exciting career in your chosen field.

Ready to achieve your dream of a fulfilling career working with the written word?

Through this industry-shaped course, you’ll interrogate a diverse array of writing forms (fiction, non-fiction, memoir, genre fiction) and explore how certain ideas and ideologies are either perpetuated or disrupted through the written word. This rich curation of texts both new and familiar will expand your literary horizons and help you strengthen your ability to identify, analyse and experiment with the specific techniques that bring great literary texts to life.

Take advantage of Deakin’s strong partnerships with industry through the opportunity to undertake an internship at organisations such as literary festivals, publishing houses, literary agents, libraries, copywriting agencies and literary magazines. You’ll also get the chance to have your work published in publications including Deakin’s Wordly Magazine and long-standing international literary journal, Verandah

Deakin’s new annual postgraduate publication, which features select creative works from postgraduate students, provides further opportunity for your work to be published or for you to gain valuable experience working behind the scenes on production.

Whether you are looking to embark on further research in a related field or forge your path in the publishing or creative industries, this course will equip you with the real-world experience and transferable skills to give you a competitive edge as you pursue the career you want.

Career opportunities

As a literary studies graduate, you will have the in depth knowledge and professional analytical and writing skills to pursue a variety of career opportunities across public and private sectors including communications, advertising, publishing, education and research.

Career opportunities include: author, editor, copywriter, literary agent.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies, students must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising:

• 1 credit point compulsory core unit;
• 4 credit points of course electives from List A;
• 3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship
• AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Course structure

Core unit

Course Electives List A

Select 4 from the following:

Students may choose to include the 5th unit listed above as 1 of the 3 electives

Electives

3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship.

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

There will be opportunities throughout the course for students to engage with industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students will have external clients or industry representatives provide content to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices.